Live Life By Design with Jeff Mendez

In this inspiring episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez welcomes Blake Erickson to discuss the transformative journey of embracing risk, reinventing yourself, and finding purpose beyond comfort. Blake shares his experiences from door-to-door sales to co-authoring a book, launching a training company, and embracing a life of intentionality. Jeff and Blake dive deep into overcoming fears, managing financial risk, navigating family support, and building a fulfilling life designed around contribution and growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to break free from playing small and step into their full potential.⏱️ Key Moments & Time Stamps:00:00 – Introduction & Peru Travel Stories02:00 – Blake’s Leap from Door-to-Door to Entrepreneurship04:00 – How Blake Met Ben Hardy & Pitched the Book06:00 – Facing Financial Uncertainty10:00 – Rediscovering Purpose and Passion13:00 – Navigating Family Support & Big Life Decisions17:00 – Lessons from Door-to-Door & The Power of No’s21:00 – Public Speaking and Storytelling28:00 – Future Goals: Building a Legacy & Giving Back35:00 – A Heartfelt Reflection on Loss and Legacy40:00 – Redefining Money & Investing in Yourself47:00 – Final Takeaways: Don’t Play Small

In this heartfelt episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with John Frampton to talk about life, leadership, family, and the power of human connection. John shares stories of his new role, past successes, and the challenges of staying grounded while reaching for more. From the importance of relationships to the power of compliments and navigating grief, this episode offers profound insights for anyone wanting to live a life by design. Tune in and get inspired to discover what makes you unique and lean into it with confidence.⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Welcome00:12 - Catching Up with John Frampton02:30 - Career Shifts & New Role at Haven Hub05:45 - Reflection on Solar Industry & Lessons Learned12:00 - The Power of Compliments18:00 - Navigating Loss & The Importance of Time23:00 - Customer Service & Building Raving Fans26:00 - Conversations that Save Lives34:00 - Leadership & Influence48:00 - Final Thoughts & Call to Action51:30 - Wrap Up & Closing

In this deeply introspective episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez is joined by entrepreneur and culture architect Jordan Binning. Known for building high-performing teams and leading with loyalty, Jordan shares the highs, lows, and lessons from his personal and professional journey — including launching a new business from scratch, staying grounded through adversity, and creating success that starts at home. You’ll hear real talk about sales, entrepreneurship, family, legacy, and what it really means to live life by design. This episode is packed with timeless leadership insights and actionable perspective for anyone chasing long-term, purpose-driven success.Key Moments00:00 — Jeff introduces Jordan Binning and his leadership impact01:08 — What excites Jordan about life and purpose today05:03 — Why consistency and “the boring stuff” wins06:54 — Jordan redefines success and fulfillment09:04 — His leap into entrepreneurship and building from zero17:14 — Emotional moment: who Jordan looks for first in a room of everyone he’s ever met24:25 — The $60K financial mistake that shaped his investing discipline26:47 — How his first rental property changed everything29:11 — Sports and sales: building a competitive edge31:00 — Morning routine and maximizing time as a CEO34:00 — Why leaders must be unavailable to be available36:04 — CEO vs. sales: what changed, what didn’t42:28 — The hardest season of Jordan’s life and how he handled it46:15 — The ripple effect of his leadership on others50:03 — Creating culture that people return to — even after leaving56:17 — Measurable leadership: what gets tracked gets managed58:25 — Pressure is a privilege: the mindset shift that changes everything

What drives a 41-year-old husband, father of three, and CSO of a $300M brand to willingly get punched in the face—on purpose?In this raw and riveting episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Dan Gardner, Chief Sales Officer of Bucked Up, to unpack his decision to enter a professional bare knuckle boxing match. From the blood, stitches, and mental battles to the business lessons and parenting insights, Dan shares why this fight wasn’t about victory in the ring—but triumph over complacency.This one’s about showing up for your goals, leading by example, and becoming your best self—even when it hurts.This episode is a masterclass in mindset, legacy, and leading with action.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & Dan’s fight aftermath01:30 - Why bare knuckle boxing at 41?06:24 - Training, diet, and mental prep10:22 - Doers vs critics mindset14:12 - Bucked Up’s $300M growth story23:14 - Will Dan fight again?29:15 - Mental battles & defining moments34:04 - Becoming a better father and leader38:26 - Sales mindset & hospital bed closing story44:12 - Final advice on excuses & legacy

In this must-hear episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with entrepreneur JD Beck to unpack a story of radical reinvention. From pursuing a career in psychology to building a $360 million solar company out of a shed, JD's journey is a testament to grit, vision, and choosing growth over comfort.He opens up about betting on himself, the power of process, and the deep “why” that drives it all—his family. This is a blueprint for anyone ready to pivot, push, and build something lasting.Key Moments:00:58 – The Fork in the Road08:12 – First Big Risk15:00 – Building from Scratch24:13 – $360M Valuation33:05 – Family & Balance49:19 – Final Advice

In this episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Brad Mortensen, the founder of RepCard, to talk about what it really takes to build something meaningful — in business and at home.From humble beginnings in door-to-door sales to creating a software tool used by thousands of reps across the country, Brad shares the wins, the failures, and the mindset shifts that made it all possible. More than just a startup story, this conversation dives into entrepreneurship, marriage, fatherhood, and how to create true alignment between work and family.If you're chasing success and trying to stay grounded at the same time — don’t miss this one.👉 In this episode:Building RepCard from scratch without outside fundingThe hustle behind door-to-door salesCreating harmony between family and businessSales tech that builds culture (not just revenue)The power of daily execution⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Brad’s background, family life, and early sales roots04:15 – Starting RepCard and what the boomerang logo really means06:00 – Door-to-door sales to solar to software: the entrepreneurial path09:30 – Bootstrapping RepCard and believing in the vision13:00 – What RepCard actually does and how it helps sales reps win17:00 – Gamifying sales with team competitions and incentives21:00 – Running event registration at major industry conferences26:00 – Finding balance: time, family, and setting boundaries30:00 – The "sacred 20 minutes" and leaving your phone in the car36:00 – Communication, overcommunication, and alignment in marriage41:00 – Final advice: success isn’t complicated — it’s daily execution

In this episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with his longtime friend, Nick Hansen, to discuss the importance of living life with intention. They dive deep into prioritizing family, navigating career growth, and finding fulfillment beyond social media. Nick shares powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and how past struggles shape our ability to help others. Whether you're in business, personal development, or just seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with wisdom on designing a meaningful life.00:07 – Introduction00:10 – Catching Up00:27 – Balancing Work & Family01:19 – The Ego Trap in Business03:25 – Quitting Social Media04:44 – Recruiting & Leadership in Business06:59 – Lessons from Sales & Growth08:31 – Shared History & Hustle10:50 – Why Grit Matters15:15 – Business Growth & Investments18:05 – Defining True Leadership20:35 – Reflection & Spirituality23:42 – Guiding Principles for Life & Business29:57 – Final Thoughts31:40 – Closing Remarks

In this episode of Live Life by Design, Jeff Mendez sits down with Kenny Cox, a seasoned leader with 19 years at Vivint, to discuss his journey in sales, leadership, and personal growth. Kenny shares insights on health and discipline, the evolution of direct sales, and how to balance family life with a high-pressure career. From the power of resilience to the importance of building a strong community, this conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone striving to design their ideal life.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Jeff welcomes Kenny Cox and reflects on their long history.00:28 – Kenny’s 19-year journey at Vivint and what drives him today.01:36 – Balancing personal health, finances, and raising adult kids.03:05 – Kenny’s daily routine: Cold plunges, workouts, and disciplined nutrition.04:50 – The power of tracking calories and staying mentally sharp.06:04 – Why Kenny has stayed at Vivint for nearly two decades.07:59 – The importance of innovation and adapting to industry changes.09:15 – The impact of relationships and mentorship in sales.10:31 – Building a legacy by training the next generation of leaders.12:32 – Challenges of corporate politics and navigating company dynamics.14:22 – Kenny on work-life balance and prioritizing experiences over money.15:20 – Growing up in a small town and lessons from his upbringing.17:38 – The influence of his father and his core values of hard work and integrity.19:02 – Early struggles in entrepreneurship: Selling vacuums and accumulating debt.24:04 – Transitioning to Vivint and paying off $60,000 in debt in one summer.27:42 – Learning the ropes in direct sales and the evolution of preseason training.30:44 – Lessons from navigating the 2009 housing crisis in sales.33:52 – The birth of preseason sales and its impact on industry success.36:37 – Kenny’s vision for the next year—growth, resilience, and family goals.39:15 – Planning dream trips: Scotland, Ireland, and prioritizing family adventures.42:48 – The power of calendaring and planning experiences in advance.45:40 – Keeping family close and building a lasting legacy for future generations.50:02 – Lessons from ancestry and how knowing our history shapes our future.56:10 – The struggle with phone addiction and maintaining presence with family.01:06:18 – The dangers of smartphones and social media for kids.01:14:03 – Kenny’s principles for living life by design—reading, mentorship, and discipline.01:18:59 – Final takeaways: The importance of taking action, not just consuming content.

In this inspiring episode of the Live Life by Design Podcast, host Jeff Mendez welcomes Kevin Suess for a deep dive into his journey from Vivint to SunPower, lessons in leadership, and the power of living life intentionally. Kevin shares how gamification transformed the sales industry, how to build lasting culture, and why family and purpose guide his decisions.📌 Highlights:Career transitions: Vivint to SunPowerThe story behind gamification in salesLeadership, legacy, and family prioritiesReflecting on life’s most important lessonsJoin us for an unforgettable conversation about designing a life filled with purpose and meaning.Timestamps00:00 Welcome & Introductions: Season 2, Episode 200:27 Kevin & Jeff: 25 Years of Friendship00:53 Kevin’s Career Journey: From Vivint to SunPower02:28 Kevin on Family Life and Upcoming Wedding06:14 Meeting Andrea: A Love Story07:41 Lessons from Life and Taking Bold Steps09:42 The Origins of Gamification in Sales11:00 Building Culture with Competitions: From Games to Sports15:09 Behind the Scenes: Creating the Cup Competition20:10 The Importance of Leverage and Unity in Sales Teams28:28 Developing Divisions and Competitions at Apex36:18 How Competitions Drive Performance and Quality45:06 Highlighting Legends: Trevor Frank’s Impact50:25 Why Kevin Chose New SunPower56:46 Reflecting on Leadership, Loyalty & Purpose58:24 Kevin's Personal Reflections on Life and Family01:06:55 Final Thoughts: Living Life with Meaning